Wellington's Lyall Bay and the surrounding bays are popular water recreation spots. Photo / RNZ, Mark PapaliiAll Wellington swimming spots have been marked with red “unsuitable for swimming” labels and warnings have been issued about pollution from two wastewater discharges. Warning signs were being put up along parts of Wellington’s south coast after the discharge of untreated wastewater, while all Lower Hutt swimming spots, including Petone and Eastbourne, had been marked as unsuitable for swimming after another discharge to an urban stream. Wellington Water said it was replacing its ultraviolet water disinfection system at the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, which resulted in a discharge of partially treated wastewater about 2km off the coast of Lyall Bay. The water disinfection system upgrade is expected to take until May next year, leaving the plant at reduced capacity, Land Air and Water Aotearoa said.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 26, 2025 09:28 UTC